Cowboy Bebop

Synopsis

By 2071, humanity has spread across the stars yet remains plagued by terrestrial issues such as addiction and crime. The narrative centers on Spike Spiegel and Jet Black, bounty hunters who traverse the cosmos tracking down felons for a living. Beneath Spike's carefree demeanor hides a troubled past, while Jet struggles with his own painful memories as he tends to both Spike and the Bebop, their ship which doubles as their home. They are eventually joined by Faye Valentine, a charming con artist; Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, a quirky child; and Ein, a genetically modified Welsh corgi. As the Bebop crew develops strong bonds and apprehends various criminals, they face a looming threat connected to Spike's dark history. Confronted by a rival's perilous plot, Spike must decide between seeking vengeance or valuing his new family.

Background

When Cowboy Bebop first aired in spring of 1998 on TV Tokyo, only episodes 2-3, 7-15, and 18 were broadcast, it was concluded with a recap special known as Yose Atsume Blues. This was due to anime censorship having increased following the big controversies over Evangelion, as a result most of the series was pulled from the air due to violent content. Satellite channel WOWOW picked up the series in the fall of that year and aired it in its entirety uncensored. Cowboy Bebop was not a ratings hit in Japan, but sold over 19,000 DVD units in the initial release run, and 81,000 overall. Protagonist Spike Spiegel won Best Male Character, and Megumi Hayashibara won Best Voice Actor for her role as Faye Valentine in the 1999 and 2000 Anime Grand Prix, respectively. Cowboy Bebop's biggest influence has been in the United States, where it premiered on Adult Swim in 2001 with many reruns since. The show's heavy Western influence struck a chord with American viewers, where it became a "gateway drug" to anime aimed at adult audiences.